Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a liquid thermosetting polymer characterized by being very adhesive and resistant, both chemically and thermally. When mixed with the hardener, and once cured, it becomes insoluble and infusible. Epoxy resins are very easy to handle. We can pigment them and even polish them once the final harden takes place. Apart from all of the above, and unlike other types of resin, they allow us to obtain fully transparent products. For all these reasons, the application of this type of resins in industrial processes have multiplied in recent years.
Next, we summarize the large number of possibilities that epoxy resins offer us.
Epoxy resin applications
Thanks to the excellent properties of this kind of resins and its easy handling, the number of technological processes and industrial sectors that use epoxy resins at this moment is very large. Among all of them, we can highlight:
- Laminating. Composite materials combining fiberglass and epoxy resin guarantee outstanding resistance. This type of laminated parts are used in a large number of economic sectors. Among others: wind power blades manufacture, automotive, aeronautics, mould making, shipbuilding, sports, etc. Although epoxy resin is not excessively resistant to UV, we can apply different types of coatings to protect it from them.
- Glues. Its excellent bond strength to almost all types of surfaces provides it with unbeatable characteristics as an adhesive. Its high tensile strength makes it the strongest adhesive on the market. For this reason, it uses in a large number of applications: aeronautics, automotive, sports, construction, etc…
- Electrical systems and electronics. Epoxy resin does not conduct electricity, which makes it an ideal product for encapsulating electrical or electronic circuits. It allows both avoiding short circuits and protecting against corrosive agents. Its insulating properties also allow protecting electronic circuits and electrical wiring from dust and humidity.
- Manufacture of furniture, decorative pieces and jewellery. Its use ranges from the encapsulation of plants, flowers or decorative elements in costume jewellery, to the kitchen countertops and furniture making.
- Food industry. Used to coat the inside of metal cans in order to prevent them from rusting, especially in the case of acidic foods such as tomatoes.
Advantages of epoxy resin
- Excellent mechanical properties
- Good chemical resistance to dilute acids and bases. Withstands prolonged exposure to corrosive chemical agents.
- Easy to handle and pigment
- Allows excellent finishes. It is able to perfectly copy all the details of the mould
- Excellent gluing to almost any type of surface very quickly. Once applied, it is almost impossible to remove it.
- Epoxy resin can be polished after final cure. It offers a high gloss and level of transparency.
- Resistant to high temperatures
Conclusion
Epoxy resins allow us to produce extremely durable and resistant products. Both from a mechanical point of view, as well as at high temperatures and chemical agents resistance. As an adhesive, it guarantees extraordinary tensile strength on almost all types of surfaces. That is the reason why its use has spread to a multitude of applications and economic sectors.
Apart from our standard epoxy resins for the most popular applications, AITANA CHEMICALS offers its clients personalized technical advice in order to customize our epoxy resins, both to the characteristics of the final product and to the production process requirements. If you have any specific needs in this field, do not hesitate to contact us.